Insert to be used in conjunction with an outlet box and other electrical units



.Nov. 21, 1939.

K. BADGER 2,180,575

INSERT TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN OUTLET BOX AND OTHER ELECTRICAL UNITS Filed lay 14, 1938 INVENTOR [fem jader BY I f Patented Nov. 21, 1939 PATENT OFFICE INSERT TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN OUTLET BOX AND OTHER ELECTRICAL UNITS Kern Badger, Ridgewood, N. J.

Application May 14, 1938, Serial No. 207,879

3 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in inserts which will act as a complete insulation in an outlet box and other electrical units. The objects of my invention are first to provide a simple and expedient method of insulating the interior of an outlet box; second, to eliminate splicing and retaping of wires which cause untold con- .fusion and leads to short circuiting; third, to facilitate the number of hook-ups possible in an outlet box; fourth, to make it possible to provide for a two-way switch in addition to the provisions for several hook-ups; fifth, to make it possible to use the box for a socket holder in addition to its provisions for several hook-ups; sixth, to make it possible to use the box for a receptacle for a plug in addition to the provision for its use in connection with several hook-ups.

One form of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a top plan view. Figure 2 is a section on line 22 of Figure 1.

Reading on Figures 1 and 2 of my device, it consists of an upper insulating plate and a lower insulating plate, numbers l and II respectively, both used in conjunction with each other and with outlet box 20; said insulating plates having a center opening l9 and are held together by rivets i2. Between said insulating plates and held therein are conducting strips l3, I4, l5 and It. In conjunction with said insulating plates and insulating strips are contact screws I8 and leadin ducts l1,

' Cables are run into the outlet box 20 and instead of being spliced together they are held in place and properly connected through screws I8 on contact members I3, l4, l5 and I6 which affords means through opening [9. Said plates are held in place by the wires and are at all times easy to regulate.

My device is made principally as follows: The insulating plates may be made out of fiber, cardboard, rubber or any non-conducting material and the contact members are made out of copper, brass or' any conducting materials, The screws may be made out or copper, brass, or steel, or any other metal adaptable for such use and likewise the rivets.

Another object of my device is that it may be made for a slight cost. For example, the insulating plates and contact bridges could be stamped out on the same machine. Furthermore, the said parts may be stamped or put together on the same machine, all of said work could possibly be done in three operations thus making the cost of the completed article practically nil.

My device may have uses other than the use shown in Figures 1 and 2, which is shown in conjunction with an outlet box.

While I have illustrated my invention in one form only and as made of specific materials, I 5

do not intend to limit myself to that particular design, method or materials, as it is apparent that other designs, methods and materials may be employed for obtaining the same results within the scope of my claims without departing from the 10 scope and spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a device as described comprising two thin polygon shaped non-conducting plates, having a polygonal shaped central recess, said plates being secured together at each corner thereof, a contacting strip between said plates parallel with each side edge of said plates, said strips not touching each other, binding posts passing through one of said insulating plates, through the contact strips and into the other insulating plate, said binding posts acting as an anchor to hold the wires of a cable between the upper plate and the contact strip, said upper plate containing channels therein to enable wires to reach each of said binding posts.

2. In a device as described, comprising an insulated upper and an insulated lower plate, said plates having a central opening means for securing said plates together, said plates containing there between four separate contacting strips, binding posts passing through the upper insulated plate, through the contacting strips and into the lower insulated plate, said binding posts adapted to hold cable ends between the upper insulating plate and the contact strip, with saidcable ends running through indentures in the upper plate from said opening to said binding post.

3. In a device as described, comprising a nonconducting upper and lower plate, each having a central opening and having means to secure said plates together, and containing between said plates, contact strips, said contact strips being adjacent to each edge of said plates, binding posts running from the top of the upper plate, through said upper plate, through said contact strip, and into the lower plate, cables running through said central opening and having their ends running between the inner surface of the upper plate and the said contact strip through an indenture in the inner surface of said upper contact plate to said binding posts, said binding posts holding said cable ends firmly and thus effecting the desired contacts.

KERN BADGER. 

